Mia took a sip then let out a blissful sigh.
“Um, not to sound like I’m not on your side but is coffee good for you when you’re pregnant?” she asked hesitantly.
Mia held the cup protectively against her body and growled at Flick. “Try to take it from me.”
Flick held up her hands and took a step back, trying to fight back a laugh. “Hey, far be it for me to stand between a pregnant woman and what she wants. I like my limbs where they are.”
Mia took another sip then sighed. “Sorry. I know I’m acting like a crazy person, but I’m going a little stir crazy here. I’m not allowed to ride. I’m not allowed to leave the house without an escort. I’m not allowed to eat half the things I want to eat and I’m not supposed to have coffee too? It’s a step too far.”
As Flick poured herself a cup, guilt filled her. “I’m sorry, Mia. Having me here is a real imposition. I’m putting you all in danger. I’m surprised Alec agreed to me staying with you when you’re pregnant.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “What? No! I didn’t mean that at all. You staying here isn’t an imposition. And Alec didn’t agree to anything. Don’t know if you remember everything from when you were first brought here, but Alec demanded that you agree to stay here under our protection. Flick, he’s basically adopted you.”
Flick had taken a mouthful of coffee which she quickly swallowed as she gaped at Mia. “Um, what?”
“Flick, you’re not just staying here. You’re not a guest. You’re part of the family.”
“No, I’m not.”
But a memory pulled at her.
“I’m not a Malone.”
“Baby girl, you are now.”
Did they really think of her as family?
Mia frowned slightly. “You are. You think these guys let just anyone stay here? Hell, there are very few people who will even visit because they’re worried about getting their tires shot out.”
Flick smiled. “I heard that rumor.”
“It’s not just a rumor.” Mia gave her a look.
Flick’s eyes widened. “You mean Tanner and Beau really shot out someone’s tires?”
Mia shrugged. “Just their cousin Jardin’s tires, and they were really just messing with him. Oh, and a couple of other people they didn’t like.”
Flick shook her head. “They’re nuts.”
“Yep,” Mia said cheerfully. “They’re also extremely loyal and overbearingly bossy and ridiculously protective. Hence me hiding my coffee habit. I’ve limited myself to just one a day. Doc said it was fine, but Alec has gotten it into his head it will be healthier for me to abstain, and when Alec lays down an edict the others follow. Well, when it comes to me, they do.” Mia sent her a laughing look. “Guess they’ll do the same with you now. Hey, you can take some of the heat off me.”
Flick snorted out a laugh. “Mia, you’re like their sister.”
“So are you,” Mia said quietly. “Flick, you’re never going back to him.”
Flick forced herself to smile. “Course not.”
Mia shook her head. “You don’t believe me yet, but you will.”
Flick wished she had the same sense of security Mia had. And she still felt guilty over all the issues she was creating for the Malone’s. Despite Alec and West declaring she was under their protection, she wasn’t their problem.
“Anyway, what are you doing up? Shouldn’t you still be in bed?”
“I’m tired of being in bed,” she countered. “It’s ridiculous, it’s been nearly a week since I was beaten.” Her arm was still in a sling, and Doc had told her it would need to stay that way for at least another week, but she was moving around much easier. “If I lay in bed for much longer, I’m going to go insane.”
Mia sent her a wicked grin. “West know you’re up?”
“West is out doing something. And West is not my boss.”
Mia laughed. “Oh, honey, you give him hell. It’s gonna be fun to watch.”
She wasn’t sure what Mia was talking about. Sure, West was looking out for her, but he had his reasons: Lana.
“I’m not gonna give him hell. He won’t care that I’m up.” Even she didn’t believe that.
“And I’ve got some magic beans I can sell you,” Mia mocked. “Honey, your ass is toast.”
“West won’t spank me.”
Mia ran her gaze over her. “Well, not right now, no. He’ll wait until you’re healed up.”
“No, I mean he won’t spank me at all. He might have taken over, uh, guardianship of me but we don’t have that sort of relationship.”
Mia tilted her head to the side. “You don’t have that sort of relationship? What does that mean?” She walked over to the pantry and pulled out a loaf of white bread and a package of something Flick couldn’t quite see. She placed them on the kitchen table and grabbed some butter and a breadknife and a cutting board.
Flick sat as she moved around the kitchen, sipping her own cup of coffee. “I mean, that he’s not my guardian because he likes me like that. It’s more out of guilt. And because of Lana.”
“Lana? What has she got to do with you?”
So Mia did know her name. “You know the whole story?”
“I do,” Mia confirmed sadly.
“Then you know couldn’t help her.”
Understanding filled Mia’s face as she sat across from her and started buttering some bread. “Right, so you think he’s helping you because he wasn’t able to help Lana?”
She nodded.
“Makes sense in its own way,” Mia agreed.
“Yeah, it does.”
“Or at least it would if I hadn’t seen how West was for those few days you weren’t around. He was like a beast with a sore paw. And then when Beau brought you back here, the fury on his face, the way he wasn’t about to let anyone else take care of you, and how he’s been with you since. Honey, I don’t think he’s doing this because of Lana.”
Mia was wrong. “He felt guilty because he said some mean things and then sent me home and I got beaten up. But I’ve made it clear it wasn’t his fault.”
Mia sent her a doubtful look. She watched the other woman pour chocolate sprinkles onto the buttered side of the bread, then place another slice on top.
“Uh, Mia, what are you making?”
“Chocolate sandwich, want one?” She started to make another identical sandwich.
“Is this a pregnancy craving?”
“No,” Mia said cheerfully. “It’s a Mia craving. I love chocolate sprinkle sandwiches. Trust me, they’re good.”
Flick hadn’t had much of an appetite and the coffee she’d just drunk wasn’t sitting well in her stomach, so she nodded. “Okay.” Although she eyed the concoction dubiously, she took a bite. “Wow, that’s sweet.”
“Good, though, right?”
It really, really was.
“Honey, I know what happened to Lana hit West hard. He’s got some demons because of it. And maybe she’s part of the reason he’s helping you. But I don’t think it’s the only reason. I was shocked as hell when he said he wanted to be your guardian. West doesn’t usually, well, he’s not very good with people. Doesn’t really like anyone other than his family. But around you, he seems different.”
“He’s made it clear he’s not interested in me in any sort of romantic way. He’s not attracted to me.”
“Yeah? So he hasn’t been sleeping in your bedroom every night?”
“On the floor!” Well, other than the first night. “And it’s because he knows I have nightmares. He wants to be there in case I need help to get back to sleep.”
Mia raised her eyebrows. “Right. He’s sleeping on a hard floor when there’s a bed next door just to help you get back to sleep when you have a nightmare.”
It did sound a little ridiculous.
“He’s being my friend.” Even she heard the doubt in her voice.
“West doesn’t have friends, honey. He has the family. That’s it.”
“He still loves Lana
. Still feels guilty over what happened to her. You warned me against feeling anything for him because of her.”
“I know, but that’s before I saw the way he is with you.”
“He’s treating me like I’m made of glass.”
“Course he is. You’re still wearing the bruises on your face from what that asshole did to you. Your arm is in a sling and you’re shuffling around like an old woman. Once you’re feeling better, then he’ll make his move.”
“Uh-huh, sure he will.”
Mia smiled. “You just wait.”
“I won’t hold my breath.”
“Want to make a bet?” Mia asked.
“Oh, yeah, what’s the bet?”
“I bet you that within the month the two of you will have slept together. And I’m not talking about just sleeping.”
“You’re on,” Flick said. “What’s the prize though?”
Mia tapped her finger against her chin. “I win, you run interference with me for a month so I can drink my coffee in peace.”
“All right, and if I win you make me lasagna once a week for a month.”
“Deal.” They shook on it.
Flick picked up her coffee mug as a roar filled the house. She startled, dropping the mug, it fell onto the edge of the table then smashed against the floor. Her heart raced, her body freezing.
“Felicity!” someone yelled again.
“Shit!”
She was dimly aware of Mia getting up and moving towards her. “Flick, you okay? Flick?”
She trembled, letting out a cry of fear as someone entered the kitchen. Someone big and angry. He was going to hurt her. She raised her arms to defend her face. Not that it would stop him. He was stronger than her.
There was the sound of cursing. And then she heard the scraping of her chair as it was turned. She flinched back, her heart racing, waiting for the first punch.
“Sunshine, it’s me. It’s West.” He spoke in a low, calm voice. No hint of anger. “No one’s going to hurt you. I’m sorry for scaring you, baby girl. Sh. It’s okay. You’re all right. No one’s going to hurt you. Take some nice, slow breaths with me. Come on, baby girl. Breathe in. Then out. That’s it. In then out. You’re safe. No one can hurt you.”
Gradually, his words penetrated, and the haze of fear retracted until she could see him clearly. He crouched in front of her chair, as close as he could get without touching her.
“Flick, you back with us?”
She glanced around, saw Mia standing across the table, her face pale and worried. Alec stood next to her, his face tense and alert.
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize for, baby girl,” West told her gently. He reached out slowly and touched her hand. She took hold of his and held it like a lifeline. She could feel the trembling still rocking her body.
“Sorry. Sorry. Didn’t mean to freak out on you.”
His jaw tightened. “I gave you a fright, yelling for you like that. I should have had more care.”
“It-it’s okay.”
“It’s not.” He gave her a firm look.
“I’m not fragile,” she stated.
His look told her he didn’t believe her.
“I’m not,” she insisted. “It’s just, it was instinctive. Usually when I hear my name yelled like that, it means . . .” she looked away but she could feel the anger filling the room.
“West,” Alec said warningly.
“I got it under control,” West told him in a low voice, that did sound very controlled. “Look at me, sunshine.”
She took a deep breath, turned her face to his. There was concern in his eyes. Mixed with regret and something else she couldn’t decipher. “You know I’d never hurt you, don’t you? I’d cut off my arm before harming you.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me. I know most men don’t . . . aren’t like Spencer, but even though I know that logically, sometimes . . .”
“Sometimes instinct takes over,” West finished for her. “I’m not upset with you for reacting that way, baby girl. This was my fault. I need to be more careful.”
“No. No. You’ve been amazing. All of you.” She glanced from him up to Alec then over to Mia. “I think I should leave though.”
West jolted back as though she’d hit him. Alec frowned.
“Leave? Where the hell are you going?” West snarled. “Back to him?”
Her eyes widened. “No.”
“West, take it easy man, she’s not thinking clearly,” Alec told him, moving forward.
“I am,” she insisted, looking from one to the other. “He won’t give up, and I’m putting you all in danger by being here.”
“We’ve talked about this before,” West growled. “I thought you were going to trust me.”
“I know, but—”
“No buts,” he demanded. All gentleness was gone. In its place was the West she was used to. And frankly, while she liked his gentleness it was nice to have this side of him back. She’d kind of missed the grumpy bastard.
Jesus, what was wrong with her?
“You are going to trust me to look after you.”
She sighed. “Anyone ever tell you can be overbearing, bossy, and a complete dictator?”
“Often,” he replied. “Now, tell me that you trust me to take care of you. You know who I was before, who I am now. You know I’m your best chance of staying safe. He might scare you, but he doesn’t scare me.”
“He should,” she retorted. “And you should add arrogant to that list of faults.”
“I don’t think of them as faults.”
“Flaws then?”
“More like personality traits,” he countered.
She sighed. “West, it’s not that I doubt your abilities or that I don’t trust you to look after me, it’s just . . . you don’t know him.”
“And he doesn’t know me. Or what I can do. He’s gonna underestimate me.”
“West is right, Flick,” Alec told her in a surprisingly gentle voice. “You see him as this monster and we get that, but he’s just a man and he’s in a wheelchair. I’m not saying he’s not dangerous; he’s rich and he’s clearly deranged. He’s had a hold over you because he’s your family. But you’ve built him up to be more than he is. He has no idea who he’s up against.”
“I appreciate everything you all are doing for me. But Mia shouldn’t have to be stuck inside, unable to move around without an escort.”
“I’m gonna be just fine,” Mia countered. “You don’t need to be worrying about me, Flick.”
“No, you don’t,” West agreed. He stood and reached for a chair, pulling it over so he sat facing her. He leaned his elbows on his thighs, staring at her firmly.
“You let me worry about Mia,” Alec added. “That’s my job. Not yours.”
West looked over his shoulder at Alec and Mia. “Could you give us some time alone?”
“Sure,” Alec agreed easily, taking Mia’s hand. “Mia and I need to have a little chat about disobeying my no coffee rule anyway.”
“Hey, how do you know it’s mine?” Mia protested.
“Because Flick’s cup is smashed on the floor,” Alec said easily. “And that’s your favorite mug.” He pointed down at Mia’s cup.
Mia sighed. “One could wish you were less observant.”
“One could wish you were more obedient.”
They turned away and walked towards the door. “But then you wouldn’t have an excuse to spank me,” Mia complained to Alec.
“Baby, you’re delusional if you think I need an excuse to spank you.”
He gave her a slap on the ass as she walked through the doorway ahead of him. She let out a small squeal and Flick saw her rubbing her bottom. Jealousy steeped through her. What she wouldn’t give to have a relationship like Alec and Mia had. It wasn’t just the whole spanking thing; it was their closeness. It was the way they cared about each other. She’d give anything to have that.
She looked down at
the smashed coffee mug on the floor. “I should clean that up.”
West placed his large hands on her thighs gently. “Stay where you are.”
“But I made the mess, I should clean it up before the coffee soaks into the floor.”
He stated. “I’ll clean it up. Stay where you are.”
He mopped up the coffee with a dishtowel, and she forced herself not to tell him he should probably use a paper towel instead. Now the coffee was just going to stain the dishtowel. He used a broom and dustpan to brush up the ceramic pieces.
“Thanks,” she told him. “But I could have done that. I’m not an invalid.”
He sat down across from her again. This time he leaned an elbow on the table, slouching back in his chair.
“You’re not leaving,” he told. His eyes came to hers. They were piercing and intense.
Her breath hitched. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt. It’s such a bad idea, me being here.”
“Why’d you set your sights on me?” he asked abruptly. “It wasn’t a random thing, was it? You knew you needed help.”
Oh, no. She didn’t want to talk about that. “You know, I’m feeling rather tired now.”
“Nope. You don’t get to hide from this. Why me?”
“Why not you? You’re gorgeous. Strong. Smart. Loyal.” Any woman would be lucky to have him.
“I am all those things. So are my brothers. Why not one them?”
“Because I don’t have feelings for them,” she whispered, the words forced out of her.
His gaze dropped and she regretted the words instantly. Shit. “But you chose me before you really knew me, didn’t you? You chose me for a reason, what was it?” He looked straight at her and it was her turn to drop her gaze.
“Uh-uh. Look at me. Look. At. Me.” He didn’t raise his voice, but the firmness was there. She turned her gaze up to his hazel-colored eyes. They were intent, but there was no anger in there. “Why me? I’m no hero, so why choose me?”
“Because you’re mean.”
Oh, fuck. Did she just say that? Why did she say that?
How West Was Won (Haven, Texas Book 7) Page 13
